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Fox trapped in netting released back to the wild
A fox found with her neck entangled in plastic garden netting, leaving her with a deep and painful wound, has been released back into the wild after two months in our care.
Published:
Content warning
There may be distressing images of animal cruelty and neglect in this story.
Trapped, wounded and suffering
In October 2023, we were called to a garden in Leicester after the owner found a female fox with plastic wire netting tangled tightly around her neck.
Thankfully, the fox was still alive and able to move around, so the caller put down some food for her while they waited for help to arrive.
RSPCA Inspector, Richard Durant, then set out a safe fox trap, returning later to collect the vixen. She was one of the lucky ones – the wound she’d sustained from the netting, which had embedded deep into her neck over several weeks, was treatable.
Sensitive content
This image may be upsetting for some viewers
Before
The plastic wiring left a deep and painful neck wound.
After
This highlights the problem our wildlife is facing. We urge people to discard their litter properly and store items like plastic netting in sheds, garages and containers, so wildlife and pets, such as cats, don't get entangled in them.
Healed and home in the wild
RSPCA Inspector, Herchy Boal, took the fox to a local vets, then moved her to our Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, near Nantwich in Cheshire, for treatment and rehabilitation.
After two months in our care – resting and recovering after surgery – she was ready to be released back into the wild.
Animal Rescue Officer, Jack Curran, took the fox back to Leicester so she could be released into familiar territory – particularly important as the caller suspected her family was in the area.
Inspector Boal said: “The wound was very deep, and I was unsure if we’d have a successful outcome in this case. Without the care and attention this poor fox received at Stapeley Grange, we wouldn’t have been in a position to release her back to the wild, so I’m delighted she’s back where she belongs. It’s jobs like this that make what we do such a joy.”
Before
After
The curious vixen recovered safely at Stapeley.
Taking up or removing netting when not in use is a simple thing we can all do to help keep wildlife safe.
A rescue and reminder
Stapeley Grange Manager, Lee Stewart, said: “I’ve been working for the RSPCA for almost 14 years now, and I’m amazed we’re still seeing netting casualties like this coming in. It was fantastic to see this fox returned to the wild; she was, however, one of the lucky ones. Often cases like hers can be fatal.”
If it wasn’t for the kind member of the public who called us to help this fox, or the expert staff at our wildlife centre who cared for her, she wouldn’t be back home in the wild.
However, her situation was avoidable. Discarding old netting safely, and swapping garden netting that needs to be left out (such as pond netting) with solid metal mesh can help save lives
Find out how to help an injured, trapped or distressed fox here.
